FIRST COMMUNION LITURGY
+ FEBRUARY 2005
Based on Luther’s Small Catechism
Our Savior's
Lutheran Church, Menomonie, WI
P: What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion?
First Communion Youth: The Sacrament of Holy
Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,
under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself, for
us Christians to eat and to drink.
P: Jesus Christ’s introduction of the Lord’s Supper
is found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and in Paul’s First Letter
to the Corinthians. Jesus took bread and wine and presented
it as his body and blood to his disciples. The Christian church
continues this sacrament to this day. What benefit do we receive
from such eating and drinking?
First Communion Parents & Families: The
benefit which we receive from such eating and drinking is shown
us by these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission
of sins,” namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness
of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words.
For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life
and salvation.
P: How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?
Everyone: It is not the eating and drinking that does
this, but the words here written, “Given and shed FOR
YOU for the remission of sins.” These words, along with
the eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament;
and whoever believes these words has exactly what they say,
namely, the forgiveness of sins.
P: Would those receiving their First Communion and their family
members please face the congregation.
Congregation: We welcome you as communing members of
Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the world-wide Christian
community. Together we will explore the mystery and wonder
of Holy Communion and accept Christ’s gifts of grace
and salvation that come to us through this holy sacrament.
P: Let us pray. Gracious God, thank you for these young people
who stand before us now. As they grow in years, deepen their
faith in Christ and their trust in the guidance of the Holy
Spirit. Thank you for the parents and family members that support
and love them, and help every one of us to see ourselves, others,
and the world though Jesus’ eyes. Amen
Words of Institution from Scripture + NRSV
Matthew 26:26-28
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and
after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and
said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ 27Then he took
a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink
from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 14:22-25
22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after
blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take;
this is my body.’ 23Then he took a cup, and after giving
thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24He
said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which
is poured out for many. 25Truly I tell you, I will never again
drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it
new in the kingdom of God.’
Luke 22:14-20
14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and
the apostles with him. 15He said to them, ‘I have eagerly
desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for
I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom
of God.’ 17Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks
he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18for
I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of
the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ 19Then he took
a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 20And he did the
same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that
is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a
loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance
of me.’ 25In the same way he took the cup also, after
supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26For
as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim
the Lord’s death until he comes.
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